Arlington Times

Brown carries on family tradition at Highland Christian

Chloe Brown is a multi-sport athlete at Highland Christian School who is looking forward to her first season of high school basketball. / Lauren Salcedo

ARLINGTON — Highland Christian School freshman Chloe Brown is no stranger to athleticism. As the youngest of five siblings to attend Highland Christian School, she is also the last to enter the varsity program for three sports — volleyball, basketball and softball.

“I’m lucky to be the youngest. You’re challenged to be better than your siblings, but they are all awesome,” said Brown. “They are really great examples.”

“This was my first year playing volleyball,” said Brown, who spent her middle school years playing soccer in the fall. “I like it a lot. I’ve been playing softball and basketball for a long time now, so it’s nice to be at the bottom not knowing very much and being able to learn.”

The Knights volleyball team was fairly young this season, with mostly freshman and junior players and only three returners. They finished out the season with a 3-9 league record and a 3-10 overall record.

“I learned a lot and it was nice for all the other girls who were new to see how they improved over the year,” said Brown. “I’m planning on doing this for three more years.”

With the volleyball season over, Brown is gearing up for her first foray into the world of varsity basketball.

“I’ve been playing basketball for seven years. Or whenever you can start playing, that’s when I started,” she laughed. “My dad is the coach, and they have morning practices I’ve been going to for years, so I know how much time and energy it takes to love the sport. Basketball is a high stress sport. There is a lot of work involved.”

Brown and the rest of the Knights’ basketball team began training in the early hours of Nov. 12.

“We had our first practice this morning and it was a lot of fun,” said Brown. “There’s a few new players and exchange students playing and they are all nice and kind-hearted. Playing sports is such a great way to get to know somebody.”

Although she still has three more years of high school sport opportunities ahead of her, Brown is already setting her long-term goals.

“My goals are to keep my grades up and keep up my relationship with God,” said Brown of her primary goals. “I might want to play basketball in college, but I’m not sure yet what I plan to do.”

Brown is considering a career as a missionary or a paramedic, and her athletic decisions will be based on the route she chooses.

“If I decide to do missionary work, I’d like to do it through Athletes in Action,” she said. “You don’t have to play sports to be a part of it but most people do. You travel to a lot of different countries and teach youth sports, and you get the opportunity to evangelize to them.”

Training to be a paramedic is an idea that was planted by Brown’s family members.

“When I was younger, one of my sisters told me I should be a paramedic,” she said. “I don’t think I’d be good at surgeries, but I’d want to take the people to the doctor. When it’s a life and death situation, you have the ability to give them encouragement.”

Although her future may bring her to save the lives of others, right now she is just focused on practice.

“Our basketball team went to state a couple years ago,” she said. “Right now it’s just the basics like dribbling, safe passing and that sort of thing. If everyone keeps returning, we have a better chance of making it to state again.”

The Knights will play their first game of the season at home against Mount Vernon Christian on Wednesday, Nov. 28, at 6 p.m.